More coffee options have appeared in Copperas Cove with two new coffee houses opening almost a year after Starbucks entered the local market.

John’s Java House and What’s Your Coffee opened this past month. Their owners are aiming to provide an alternative to Starbucks and add some local flavor to the coffee scene.

“I’m a coffee drinker from the Army,” said Donna Greene, owner of What’s Your Coffee. “I love good coffee, but I don’t want to just offer coffee.

“I want people to come inside from the craziness and gather your thoughts. Sometimes, you need to run and get away and have a moment to yourself, and that’s what I want to be able to do here.”

Greene said she tries to make her customers feel at home. As does John Meyer, owner of John’s Java House.

“People feel at home here,” Meyer said. “We want people to come in and relax. I love coffee, and I love to sit down and drink it. That’s what we got here.”

Customers can browse through a record album collection at John’s Java House.

“Having the record player and the record collection for people to look through and choose music is a fun, unique thing we do here,” said Tracy Pennington, Meyer’s fiancee and business partner. “It’s something we do to try to be unique.”

What’s Your Coffee tries to create a relaxing environment.

“I really want people to come in, take a load off and relax in a calm environment,” Greene said. “I got the couches, music on low, and if you want it changed, I’ll change it. Just like that.”

Greene said she serves coffee roasted in Austin.

“It’s all Texas coffee. I really want that local flavor, and it’s freshly roasted for me when I call them.”

John’s Java House offers its own blend of coffee for customers, Pennington said.

The two coffee shops want to give residents a local choice for their coffee.

“They can go to Starbucks if they want,” Greene said. “But they won’t be able to relax there like they do here.”

“(John’s Java House) just wants people to enjoy their coffee, not feel rushed, and have a good time here,” Meyer said.